Camera mounting structure, camera mounting method and exterior panel component of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

A camera mounting structure for mounting an on-vehicle camera on a vehicle, in which the on-vehicle camera includes an imaging module having a lens and an imaging element, and in an exterior panel component making up an exterior of the vehicle, a bracket part for attaching the imaging module is molded integrally with the exterior panel component as a portion of the exterior panel component.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a camera mounting structure, a cameramounting method, and an exterior panel component of a vehicle formounting an on-vehicle camera on the vehicle.

2. Description of Related Art

In recent years, an on-vehicle camera has been mounted on a vehicle forvarious applications such as a dead angle sensor, a back monitor and soforth.

In a related art on-vehicle camera, a camera body (module part includingan imaging element) of the on-vehicle camera is generally attached andfixed to a structural component of a vehicle body or an exteriorcomponent of the vehicle by a fastener such as screws through a mountingmember supporting the camera body (e.g., refer to Japanese PatentApplication Publication No. 2004-216976, Patent Documents 1, JapanesePatent Application Publication No. 2005-178441, Patent Document 2,Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-69276, Patent Document3).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Recently, an on-vehicle camera has become widespread, and with this,demand for mounting the same has been drastically increased.

However, as described above, the camera body has been mounted throughthe mounting member. Therefore, the related art camera mountingstructure has not necessarily dealt with the increased demand formounting appropriately and flexibly for reasons as described below.

While the camera body of the on-vehicle camera is precision equipment,and the fixing thereof to the mounting member is performed by smallprecision screws, it is not necessarily that a production line, amaintenance site of a vehicle and the like are working environmentswhere the handling of the small precision screws is considered. For thisreason and the like, the fixing of the camera body to the mountingmember is typically performed as a working process prior to the mountingon the vehicle, and in many cases, as a process after production of thecamera body, the camera body and the mounting member are assembled, andthen, the camera body and the mounting member in the assembled state areattached and fixed to the relevant vehicle on the production line, themaintenance site or the like of the vehicle. That is, the camera bodyand the mounting member are assembled on the camera production side, andthe camera body and the mounting member in the assembled state aremounted on the vehicle on the manufacturing side or the maintenance sideof the vehicle.

However, it is typical for a mounting position of the camera body on thevehicle, a component shape of the vehicle on which the camera body ismounted and the like to differ depending on a vehicle type. Therefore,in the case where the camera body is mounted on the vehicle through themounting member, the mounting member differing depending on the vehicletype needs to be prepared. That is, on the camera manufacturing side,the need to prepare a mounting member for each vehicle type arises.

This means that work for supporting each vehicle type (e.g., componentdesign, manufacturing, management and the like for each vehicle type) isrequired redundantly on the camera manufacturing side and on the vehiclemanufacturing side, which is not preferable in terms of workingefficiency. Particularly, under a situation where supporting variousvehicle types is required with increased demand for camera mounting,this can be a major issue. In addition, when the work for supporting thevehicle type is required redundantly, this can be an inhibitory factorin assuring versatility of supporting the relevant vehicle type. Inlight of these, the related art camera mounting structure cannotappropriately deal with the increased demand for mounting the camera interms of efficiency, and it can also be the that it lacks flexibility inthat there is a possibility of impairing the versatility.

Consequently, according to embodiments of the present invention, it isdesirable to provide a camera mounting structure, a camera mountingmethod and an exterior panel component of a vehicle capable ofappropriately and flexibly dealing with increased demand for mounting anon-vehicle camera.

An embodiment of the present invention is a camera mounting structuredevised to realize the above-described desire. That is, the presentinvention provides a camera mounting structure for mounting anon-vehicle camera on a vehicle, in which the on-vehicle camera includesan imaging module having a lens and an imaging element, and for anexterior panel component making up an exterior of the vehicle, a bracketpart for attaching the imaging module is molded integrally with theexterior panel component as a portion of the exterior panel component.

In the camera mounting structure constituted as described above, sincethe imaging module is directly attached to the bracket part formed inthe exterior panel component, an additional attaching member or the likeis not required in the attachment. Furthermore, since the bracket partis molded integrally with the exterior component, when a shape of theexterior panel component is different, a shape of the bracket part canbe made different. That is, even if various vehicle types are handled,only the exterior panel component with which the bracket part is moldedintegrally needs to be prepared for each vehicle type, and the imagingmodule can be used in common to each vehicle type.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, since thepreparation of the exterior panel component with which the bracket partis molded integrally allows the mounting of the on-vehicle camera to thevehicle without requiring any additional attaching member or the like,redundant work (e.g., component design, manufacturing, management andthe like for each vehicle type) between the camera manufacturing side,and the vehicle manufacturing side and the like is not required, so ascompared with the case where the redundant work is required, workingefficiency is largely improved. In addition, versatility assurance insupporting each vehicle type becomes easy. Accordingly, the increaseddemand for mounting the on-vehicle camera can be dealt withappropriately and flexibly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is explanatory views showing one example of a schematicconstitution of an on-vehicle camera;

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a schematic constitutional exampleof a rear garnish;

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing one example of a constitution of asubstantial part of the rear garnish;

FIG. 4 is explanatory views (No. 1) showing one specific example of anon-vehicle camera mounting procedure;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view (No. 2) showing the one specific exampleof the on-vehicle camera mounting procedure:

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view (No. 3) showing the one specific exampleof the on-vehicle camera mounting procedure;

FIG. 7 is explanatory views showing one specific example of a moduledetaching jig;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view (No. 1) showing another example of aconstitution of a substantial part of the rear garnish;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view (No. 2) showing the another example of thesubstantial constitution of the rear garnish;

FIG. 10 is explanatory views (No. 3) showing the another example of thesubstantial constitution of the rear garnish;

FIG. 11 is explanatory views (No. 4) showing the another example of thesubstantial constitution of the rear garnish;

FIG. 12 is explanatory views (No. 5) showing the another example of thesubstantial constitution of the rear garnish;

FIG. 13 is explanatory views (No. 1) showing still another example ofthe substantial constitution of the rear garnish;

FIG. 14 is explanatory views (No. 2) showing the still another exampleof the substantial constitution of the rear garnish;

FIG. 15 is explanatory views (No. 3) showing the still another exampleof the substantial constitution of the rear garnish;

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing one specific example of anexterior cover;

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing another specific example of anexterior cover;

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view (No. 1) showing one specific example ofdeformation-movement restraining means; and

FIG. 19 is explanatory views (No. 2) of the one specific example of thedeformation-movement restraining means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a camera mounting structure, a camera mounting method andan exterior panel component of a vehicle according to an embodiment ofthe present invention are described with reference to the drawings.

An embodiment of the present invention is intended to mount anon-vehicle camera to a vehicle.

Here, an “on-vehicle camera” is a generic term of a camera apparatusused in a state mounted on a vehicle, the application and the mountingposition of which are not limited. That is, the on-vehicle camera isused for a dead angle sensor and a back monitor, and other variousapplications, and thus, is used by being mounting on a side part, afront part, or a back part of the vehicle.

Moreover, a “vehicle” refers to a car under the Road Traffic Law,particularly a four-wheeled automobile. It, however, is not limited tothis, but a body of a train, an electric train or the like (railroadvehicle), self-propelled construction machinery (construction vehicle),self-propelled agricultural machinery (agricultural vehicle) and thelike are included in the “vehicle” herein.

In the following description, a back camera mounted on a rear garnishpart for a license plate of a four-wheeled automobile (hereinafter, onlyrefer to as “rear garnish”), as a back monitor is described as anexample.

First, the on-vehicle camera itself is described.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing one example of a schematicconstitution of the on-vehicle camera.

The on-vehicle camera is constituted by roughly including an imagingmodule 10 shown in FIGS. 1( a) to 1(c), a cable part 20 shown in FIGS.1( d) to 1(e), and a signal processor not shown.

The imaging module 10 has a lens and an imaging element necessary forcapturing an image. More particularly, it includes the lens and theimaging element (neither is shown), a base portion 11 on which these aremounted, and a cover portion 12 that covers these. For the lens and theimaging element, those in publicly known technology, such as a CCD(Charge Coupled Device), may be utilized, and thus, their detaileddescription is omitted here.

Among these portions, the base portion 11 is provided with projectedclaw portions 13 used for attaching and fixing the imaging module 10 insuch a manner that they are assigned in four positions on a periphery ofside end edges of the base portion 11, for example, details of whichwill be described later. However, a shape, formation positions and thelike thereof are not particularly limited, as long as they enable theattachment and fixing of the imaging module 10.

Moreover, on a rear surface side of the base portion 11, that is, on aback surface side of the imaging module 10, a connector receptacle 14 inwhich electric connection to the imaging element is assured is formed.The connector receptacle 14 is to be coupled to a connector plug 21 ofthe cable part 20 described later to make up one connector. That is, theconnector receptacle 14 corresponds to a connector part on the sidemounted on an equipment body in the one connector. While in theillustrated example, a case where the connector receptacle 14 haspin-like terminals is shown, this is not particularly limited, but maybe formed into a socket shape. Moreover, same with applied to the numberof the terminals.

The cable part 20 is intended to transmit an imaging signal obtained inthe imaging module 10 to the signal processor. For this, the cable part20 includes the connector plug 21 formed insertably and removably intothe connector receptacle 14, and a cable 22 that connects to theconnector plug 21 to transmit the image signal obtained in the imagingmodule 10.

Among these, the connector plug 21 is to be coupled to the connectorreceptacle 14 to make up one connector. That is, the connector plug 21corresponds to a connector part on the side mounted on the cable 22 inthe one connector. A terminal shape, the number of the terminals and thelike are not particularly limited as long as the connector plug 21 canbe inserted and withdrawn with respect to the connector receptacle 14.

The connector plug 21 is provided with projected claw portions 23 usedfor attaching and fixing the connector plug 21, for example, in twoopposed positions of side end edges of the connector plug 21, details ofwhich will be described later. A shape, formation positions and the likethereof are not particularly limited, as long as they enable theattachment and fixing of the connector plug 21.

The signal processor performs predetermined signal processing as neededto the imaging signal received through the cable part 20 (A/Dconversion, gain adjustment and the like). For the signal processingperformed by the signal processor, a circuit configuration necessary forit, and the like, those by publicly known technology may be utilizedsimilarly to those in the related art, and thus, their detaileddescription is omitted.

Subsequently, the rear garnish, which is a mounting portion of theabove-described on-vehicle camera is described.

The rear garnish is one of exterior panel components making up anexterior of the vehicle, and is made of a resin molded componentdesigned and molded for each vehicle type, or the like. However, therear garnish described as one example here is constituted as describedbelow in order to mount the on-vehicle camera having the above-describedconstitution, particularly the imaging module 10 and the connector plug21 in the on-vehicle camera.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a schematic constitutional exampleof the rear garnish, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing oneexample of a substantial constitution thereof.

As shown in FIG. 2, in a rear garnish 30, an opening 31 for mounting theon-vehicle camera is arranged, and a bracket part 32 for mounting theon-vehicle camera is arranged on the back surface side of a portionwhere the opening 31 is arranged. The bracket part 32 is moldedintegrally with the rear garnish 30 as a portion of the rear garnishpart 30. That is, the rear garnish 30 includes the bracket part 32 formounting the on-vehicle camera at a portion thereof.

The bracket part 32, as shown in FIG. 3, has a module attaching portion40 on which the imaging module 10 is attached and fixed, and a connectorattaching portion 50 on which the connector plug 21 is attached andfixed. Both of these attaching portions 40, 50, being molded integrallywith the rear garnish 30, are formed by resin molding similar to therear garnish 30.

For attaching and fixing the imaging module 10, the module attachingportion 40 has a base portion 41 on which the base portion 11 of theimaging module 10 is placed, an escape portion 42 for avoidinginterference with the connector receptacle 14 of the imaging module 10,and four receiving portions 43 projected from the base portion 41 towardthe front side of the rear garnish 30 so as to correspond to therespective claw portions 13 provided in the base portion 11 of theimaging module 10, and a depressed shape portion of each of thereceiving portions 43 is configured to engage with the correspondingclaw portion 13 (projected portion). Each of the receiving portions 43only needs to make up a snap-fit latch (for preventing slipping-off)that performs the engagement or engagement release with respect to theclaw part 13 utilizing deflection by elastic deformation, and a shape, asize and the like thereof are not particularly limited. With theformation number of the receiving portions 43, they only need to beprovided in two or more positions opposed to one another as long as itcorresponds to the formation number of the claw portions 13, and enablesthe attaching and fixing of the imaging module 10.

For attaching and fixing the connector plug 21, the connector attachingportion 50 has a cylindrical holding portion 51 formed on the backsurface side of a portion where the relief portion 42 is arranged, intowhich the connector plug 21 may be inserted, and two receiving portions52 formed in the holding portion 51 so as to correspond to therespective claw portions 23 provided in the connector plug 21, so thatdepressed portions of the respective receiving portions 52 may beengaged with the corresponding claw portions 23 (projected portions),respectively. Each of these receiving portions 52, similar to each ofthe receiving portions 43 in the module attaching portion 40, only needsto make up a snap-fit latch, and a shape, a size and the like thereofare not particularly limited. With the formation number of the receivingportions 52, they only need to be provided in two or more positionsopposed to one another as long as it corresponds to the formation numberof the claw portions 23, and enables the attachment and fixing of theconnector plug 21.

The rear garnish 30 constituted as described above, particularly thebracket part 32 included by the rear garnish 30 and the receivingportions 43, 52 in the bracket part 32 are assumed to have shapes thatthe rear garnish 30 and the bracket part 32 may be formed by a moldingprocessing of one step. More particularly, the bracket part 32 and thereceiving portions 43, 52 each have a shape in which overlappingportions are not present when projected along a demolding direction of amale mold and a female mold, so that they can be molded by only a pairof the female and male molds. More specifically, in order to realize theabove-described shapes, the bracket part 32 is formed so as tocorrespond to (substantially coincide with) a size of the opening 31,and the holding portion 51 is formed so as to correspond to(substantially coincide with) a size of the relief portion 42. Moreover,in the receiving portions 43, notched portions 44 are formed in rootsthereof, and similarly, notched portions 53 are also formed in roots ofthe receiving portions 52.

Now, a procedure for mounting the imaging module 10 and the connectorplug 21 of the on-vehicle camera on the above-described rear garnish 30is described.

FIGS. 4 to 6 are explanatory views showing one specific example of theon-vehicle camera mounting procedure.

In mounting the on-vehicle camera, the attachment and fixing of theconnector plug 21 to the connector attaching portion 50 is firstperformed as shown in FIG. 4. That is, the connector plug 21 is insertedinto the holding portion 51 from one end edge side of the cylindricalholding portion 51 in the connector attaching portion 50, that is, froman opening portion 54 formed by the holding portion 51. The clawportions 23 in the connector plug 21 are engaged with the receivingportions 52 in the connector attaching portion 50. This allows theconnector plug 21 to be attached and fixed inside of the holding portion51 of the connector attaching portion 50.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, the attachment and fixing of the imagingmodule 10 to the module attaching portion 40 is performed. That is, theimaging module 10 is inserted into the opening 31 from the front side ofthe rear garnish 30. The claw portions 13 in the imaging module 10 areengaged with the receiving portions 43 in the module attaching portion40. This allows the imaging module 10 to be attached and fixed in astate where it is placed on the base portion 41 of the module attachingportion 40.

At this time, the connector plug 21 is attached and fixed to theconnector attaching portion 50. Thus, once the imaging module 10 isattached and fixed to the module attaching portion 40, accordingly theterminals are mutually engaged and electrically connected between theconnector receptacle 14 in the imaging module 10 and the connector plug21 attached and fixed to the connector attaching portion 50. That is,the bracket part 32 is constituted so that once the imaging module 10 isattached and fixed to the module attaching portion 40 and the connectorplug 21 is attached and fixed to the connector attaching portion 50, theconnection between the connector receptacle 14 and the connector plug 21is assured.

Through the procedure as described above, as shown in FIG. 6, theimaging module 10 and the connector plug 21 of the on-vehicle camera aremounted on the rear garnish 30.

In the mounting, since the connector plug 21 is inserted from theopening portion 54 of the holding portion 51, and the imaging module 10is inserted from the front side of the rear garnish 30, respectiveinsertion directions are perpendicular to each other. That is, theconstitution is such that an attachment direction when the imagingmodule 10 is attached to the module attaching portion 40, and anattachment direction when the connector plug 21 is attached to theconnector attaching portion 50 are different from each other.

The attachment and fixing of the imaging module 10 is performed,utilizing the engagement of the claw portions 13 and the receivingportions 43, as described above. Accordingly, the formation of inclinedsurfaces as guides in the claw portions 13 and the receiving portions 43allows the attachment and fixing to be performed by so-called one-touchoperation without requiring a dedicated tool or the like.

In contrast, it can be considered that the withdrawal of the imagingmodule 10 from the module attaching portion 40 is performed using a jigas described below. This is because in terms of sureness of theattachment and fixing of the imaging module 10, it is not preferablethat there is a possibility that the imaging module 10 is easilydetached, and in terms of workability during maintenance of the imagingmodule 10, it is not preferable that the detachment of the imagingmodule 10 is difficult.

FIG. 7 is explanatory views showing one specific example of a moduledetaching jig.

As shown in FIG. 7( a), as a module detaching jig 6, there is consideredone that is constructed by bending a plate-like metal member into achannel shape (U shape), and has inclined portions 61 as guides at endedge portions and notched portions 62 provided corresponding to the clawportions 13.

When the withdrawal of the imaging module 10 is performed by using theabove-described module detaching jig 60, the module detaching jig 60 isfirst inserted from the front side of the rear garnish 30 as shown inFIGS. 7( b) and 7(c). Accordingly, in the module attaching portion 40,as shown in FIGS. 7( d) to 7(f), the receiving portions 43 are pushedoutward to be deflected (refer to arrow A in the figure), so that theengaged state between the receiving portions 43 and the claw portions 13in the imaging module 10 is released. In this state, when the moduledetaching jig 60 is pulled out, the imaging module 10 is withdrawn fromthe module attachment portion 40 together with the module detaching jig60.

The use of the above-described module detaching jig 60 can assureeasiness in withdrawal work of the imaging module 10 from the moduleattaching portion 40 while constructing the shape of the engagementportions between the claw portions 13 and the receiving portions 43 intoa shape that prevents the imaging module 10 from being easilydisengaged.

Next, another constitutional example of the on-vehicle camera and therear garnish is described.

FIGS. 8 to 12 are explanatory views showing another example of asubstantial constitution of the rear garnish.

The constitutional example shown in the figures is different from thecase of the above-described constitutional example in that depressedreceiving portions 15 are provided on the imaging module 10 side (referto B portions in FIG. 8), and claw portions 45 having projected portionsto be engaged with the receiving portions 15 are provided on the moduleattaching portion 40 side (refer to C portions in FIG. 9). However, thisconstitutional example is similar to the case of the above-describedconstitutional example in that the attachment and fixing of the imagingmodule 10 is performed utilizing the engagement between the clawportions 45 and the receiving portions 15.

This means that the claw portions 13, 45 and the receiving portions 15,43 may be provided in either of the imaging module 10 or the moduleattaching portion 40 in the bracket part 32. That is, the constitutionmay be such that in any one of the imaging module 10 and the moduleattaching portion 40 in the bracket part 32, the claw portions 13, 45are provided and in the other, the receiving portions 15, 43 to beengaged with the claw portions 13, 45 are provided, so that theengagement of these allows the imaging module 10 to be attached andfixed to the module attaching portion 40.

Moreover, in the constitutional example shown in the figures, a cableextending direction in the cable part 20 is different from that in thecase of above-described constitutional example. That is, thisconstitutional example is different from the case of the above-describedconstitutional example in which the inserting and withdrawing directionand the extending direction are substantially perpendicular to eachother, in that the cable 22 extends along the inserting and withdrawingdirection of the connector plug 21 with respect to the connectorreceptacle 14 (refer to FIG. 8).

Thus, in the connector attaching portion 50 of the bracket part 32, theholding portion 51 into which the connector plug 21 is inserted isformed with an escape portion 55 corresponding to the extendingdirection of the cable 22 (refer to FIG. 10). The inserting direction ofthe connector plug 21 is similar to that in the case of theabove-described constitutional example.

Furthermore, in constitutional example shown in the figures, the bracketpart 32 and the claw portions 45 in the bracket part 32 also have shapesthat enables the rear garnish 30 and the bracket part 32 to be formed bya molding processing of one step. More specifically, in the base portion41 in the module attaching portion of the bracket part 32, notchedportions 46 in accordance with a projected amount of the projectedportions in the claw portions 45 are formed (refer to FIG. 10).

In the above-described constitutional example, similar to the case ofthe constitutional example described before, the bracket part 32 towhich the imaging module 10 and the connector plug 21 are attached andfixed is molded integrally with the rear garnish 30 as a portion of therear garnish 30. Once the imaging module 10 is attached and fixed to themodule attaching portion 40, and the connector plug 21 is attached andfixed to the connector attaching portion 50, the connection between theconnector receptacle 14 and the connector plug 21 is arranged to beassured (refer to FIGS. 11 and 12).

While, here, the case where the depression and projection relation inthe engagement portions (i.e., claw portions 45 and the receivingportions 15) for attaching and fixing the imaging module 10 to themodule attaching portion 40 (refer to a D portion in FIG. 12) is reverseto that of the constitutional example described before is taken as anexample, the same is also applied to the depression and projectionrelation in the engagement portions for attaching and fixing theconnector plug 21 to the connector attaching portion 50. That is, theconstitution may be such that any one of the connector plug 21 and theconnector attaching portion 50 in the bracket part 32 is provided withthe claw portions and the other is provided with the receiving portionsto be engaged with the claw portions, so that the mutual engagement ofthese allows the connector plug 21 to be attached and fixed to theconnector attaching portion 50.

Next, still another constitutional example of the on-vehicle camera andthe rear garnish is described.

FIGS. 13 to 15 are explanatory views showing still another example of asubstantial constitution of the rear garnish.

As shown in FIG. 13, while in the constitutional example described here,similar to the above-described constitutional example (e.g., refer toFIG. 12), the engagement between the depressed receiving portions 15 inthe imaging module 10 and claw portions 47 each having a projected shapeis utilized to attach and fix the imaging module 10, this constitutionalexample is different from the case of the above-described constitutionalexample in that the claw portions 47 to be engaged with the receivingportions 15 are provided separately from the module attaching portion 40in the bracket part 32.

More particularly, as shown in FIG. 14( a), an auxiliary member 48 isformed in which the claw portions 47 are formed in opposed side portionsof a rectangular frame respectively by applying bending processing to athin-plate metal member, and in the module attaching portion 40 in thebracket part 32, groove portions 49 into which opposed side portions ofthe auxiliary member 48 with the claw portions 47 not formed are engagedare formed. As shown in FIG. 14( b), by engaging the opposed sideportions of the auxiliary member 48 with the claw portions 47 not formedinto the groove portions 49, the claw portions 47 owned by the auxiliarymember 48 has serve the function similar to that of the claw portions 45in the above-described constitutional example (e.g., refer to FIG. 10).

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 15, in the constitutional example, similarto the case of the above-described constitutional example (e.g., referto FIGS. 8 to 12), once the imaging module 10 is attached to the moduleattaching portion 40 in the bracket part 32, the engagement between theclaw portions 47 and the receiving portions 15 allows the imaging module10 to be fixed. That is, the imaging module 10 and the connector plug 21are attached and fixed to the bracket part 32 molded integrally with therear garnish 30 as a portion of the rear garnish 30, and the attachmentand fixing assures the connection between the connection receptacle 14and the connector plug 21.

In addition, in the constitutional example taken as an example here,since the claw portions 47 are provided separately from the moduleattaching portion 40, the simplification of the shape of the moduleattaching portion 40 can be realized. Moreover, since they are providedseparately, for example, even if the claw portion 47 is damaged, byreplacing the auxiliary member 48, easy and flexible handling can berealized. Furthermore, depending on the selection of forming materials,formed plate thickness or the like of the auxiliary member 48,appropriate adjustment of holding force in the engaged state by the clawportions 47 (attachment and fixing force of the imaging module 10) canalso be realized.

In any case of the above-described constitutional examples, the bracketpart 32 is molded integrally with the rear garnish 30 as a portion ofthe rear garnish 30. That is, the bracket part 32 cannot be detachedfrom the rear garnish 30.

On the other hand, not all vehicles to which the rear garnish 30 isattached require the mounting of the on-vehicle camera. That is, amongthe vehicles to which the rear garnish 30 is attached, there can existones that do not require the mounting of the on-vehicle camera.

Thus, it can be considered that an exterior cover as described below isattached in a formation position of the bracket part 32 in the reargarnish 30.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory view showing one specific example of theexterior cover.

As illustrated in the figure, an exterior cover 71 functions as aso-called blank cap that covers the formation portion of the bracketpart 32 to shut when the mounting of the on-vehicle camera is notperformed. For this, the exterior cover 71 is configured to have a panelportion of the same color as, and flat with an exterior portion of therear garnish 30. It is considered that the attachment of this exteriorcover 71 to the rear garnish 30 can be performed by one-touch operationusing a snap-fit latch (for preventing slipping-off) utilizing theengagement between claw portions and receiving portions, similar to theattachment and fixing of the imaging module 10 to the rear garish 30.

Moreover, the exterior cover may be attached not only when the mountingof the on-vehicle camera is not performed but also when the mounting ofthe on-vehicle camera is performed.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing another specific example of theexterior cover.

An illustrated exterior cover 72 is attached when the mounting of theon-vehicle camera is performed. For this, in the exterior cover 72, anopening 73 for exposing only a lens that the imaging module 10 has isformed, and a portion other than the opening 73 is configured in thesame color as that of the exterior portion of the rear garnish 30. Theattachment of the above-described exterior cover 72 can makeinconspicuous the existence of on-vehicle camera, particularly, theexistence of the imaging module 10 making up the on-vehicle camera evenwhen the mounting of the on-vehicle camera is performed. It isconsidered that the attachment of this exterior cover 72 to the reargarnish 30 can be performed by one-touch operation using a snap-fitlatch, as in the case of the above-described specific example.

It is also considered that when the exterior cover 72 is attached inmounting the on-vehicle camera in this manner, deformation-movementrestraining means as described below is formed in the exterior cover 72.The deformation-movement restraining means is intended to restrain asituation where the receiving portions 43 or the claw portions 45 forattaching and fixing the imaging module 10 are deflected by elasticdeformation so that the engagement portions with the claw portions 13 orthe receiving portions 15 are moved, and to prevent the image module 10from slipping off from the module attaching portion 40 in advance.

FIGS. 18 and 19 are explanatory views showing one specific example ofthe deformation-movement restraining means.

As shown in FIG. 18, as the deformation-movement restraining means,rib-shaped portions 73 formed so as to be projected from the rearsurface side of the exterior cover 72 are cited. These rib-shapedportions 73 are formed, for example, in four positions so as tocorrespond to the receiving portions 43 for attaching and fixing theimaging module 10.

When the exterior cover 72 having the above-described rib-shapedportions 73 is attached to the rear garnish 30, the respectiverib-shaped portions 73 are located outside the receiving portions 43,corresponding to the respective receiving portions 43 in the state wherethe exterior cover 72 is attached, as shown in FIGS. 19( a) to 19(c).That is, the respective rib-shaped portions 73 are arranged in positionswhere the receiving portions 43 is suppressed from being deflectedoutward (refer to E portions in the figure).

Accordingly, in the state where the exterior cover 72 having therib-shaped portions 73 is attached to the rear garnish 30, as shown inFIG. 19( d), even if the respective receiving portions 43 are to bedeflected outward (refer to an F portion in the figure), the deflectionwill be restrained by the each of the rib-shaped portions 73 in each ofthe receiving portions 43, and as a result, the imaging module 10 willbe prevented from slipping off from the module attaching portion 40.

As described above, in the camera mounting structure and the cameramounting method in which the mounting of the on-vehicle camera isperformed using the rear garnish 30 according to the respectiveconstitutional examples of the present embodiment, in any case of theconstitutional examples, since the imaging module 10 making up theon-vehicle camera is directly attached to the bracket part 32 formed inthe rear garnish 30, an additional mounting member or the like is notrequired in the attachment. In addition, since the bracket part 32 ismolded integrally with the rear garnish 30, if the shape of the reargarnish 30 is different, the shape of the bracket part 32 can be madedifferent. That is, even in the case of handling various vehicle types,only the rear garnish 30 with which the bracket part 32 is integrallymolded needs to be prepared for each vehicle type, while the imagingmodule 10 can be used in common to various vehicle types.

Accordingly, for example, even under a situation where handling ofvarious vehicle types is required with the increased demand for thecamera mounting, the preparation of the rear garnish 30 with which thebracket part 32 is molded integrally for each vehicle type allows theon-vehicle camera to be mounted on the relevant type of vehicle withoutrequiring any additional mounting member or the like. Thus, related artredundant work (e.g., component design, manufacturing, management andthe like for each vehicle type) on the camera manufacturing side, and onthe vehicle manufacturing side and the like is not required, and workingefficiency is largely improved as compared with the case where theredundant work is required. In addition, versatility assurance insupporting the vehicle type also becomes easy.

That is, according to the camera mounting structure and the cameramounting method described in the present embodiment, by eliminating amounting member specific to each vehicle type or the like, which hasbeen designed for each vehicle type, and providing the function offixing the camera (the bracket part 32) to the rear garnish 30, thecamera fixing function is put together with the exterior panel componentof the vehicle to thereby standardize and simplify the on-vehiclecamera. This makes component/camera production, distribution andmounting work efficient, and enables the increased demand for mountingthe on-vehicle camera to be dealt with appropriately and flexibly.

Furthermore, by employing the camera mounting structure and the cameramounting method described in the embodiment, mounting space of theon-vehicle camera can be assured than the initial stage of the vehicledesign, which allows an arrangement layout of the on-vehicle camera tobe performed without difficulty. In addition, through thestandardization of the on-vehicle camera, stabilization of quality ofthe on-vehicle camera and reduction in number of components (cost down)can be expected.

Moreover, in the camera mounting structure and the camera mountingmethod in which the mounting of the on-vehicle camera is performed usingthe rear garnish 30 according to the respective constitutional examplesdescribed in the present embodiment, in any case of the constitutionalexamples, the constitution is such that the bracket part 32 moldedintegrally with the rear garnish 30 has the module attaching portion 40to which the imaging module 10 is attached and fixed, and the connectorattaching portion 50 to which the connector plug 21 is attached andfixed. Once the imaging module 10 is attached and fixed to the moduleattaching portion 40, and the connector plug 21 is attached and fixed tothe connector attaching portion 50, the electrical connection betweenthe connector receptacle 14 and the connector plug 21 is assured. Thatis, not only the imaging module 10 is attached and fixed to the moduleattaching portion 40 of the bracket part 32, but also the connector plug21, which can be inserted and withdrawn with respect to the connectorreceptacle 14 of the imaging module 10, can be attached and fixed to theconnector attaching portion 50 of the bracket part 32.

Thus, according to the camera mounting structure and the camera mountingmethod described in the present embodiment, without fixing the imagingmodule 10 and the connector plug 21 by adhesion, screw cramp or thelike, that is, without assuring space for adhesion, screw cramp or thelike between the imaging module 10 and the connector plug 21, sufficientfixing strength of the connector plug 21 can be obtained, and thus, ascompared with the case where the space is required, the connectionstructure of the connector portion can be simplified and dealing withdownsizing becomes very easy. In addition, since the connector plug 21is attached and fixed to the connector attaching portion 50 of thebracket part 32 separately from the imaging module 10, for example, evenif excessive load is applied to the cable 22 extending from theconnector plug 21, the connector attaching portion 50 receives this, sothat this load does not affect the imaging module 10 or the like, andsufficient load bearing strength around the cable can be assured, and inaddition, through this, further promotion of easily dealing with thedownsizing can be realized.

Namely, in the camera mounting structure and the camera mounting methoddescribed in the present embodiment, there is employed a so-calleddouble lock structure in which the attachment and fixing of the imagingmodule 10 to the module attaching portion 40, and the attachment andfixing of the connector plug 21 to the connector attaching portion 50are performed separately, and once they are attached and fixed,respectively, the electrical connection between the connector receptacle14 and the connector plug 21 is assured. Therefore, cable load bearingstrength inside a vehicle body of the vehicle is largely improved ascompared with the related art structure, which does not employ thedouble lock structure. Moreover, since the employment of the double lockstructure allows a connecter lock structure to be eliminated from theimaging module 10, downsizing of the cable connection structure in theimaging module 10, that is, downsizing of the imaging module 10 body inthe on-vehicle camera can be achieved.

Furthermore, as described in the present embodiment, with theconstitution in which the connector plug 21 is attached and fixed to theconnector attaching portion 50 separately from the attachment and fixingof the imaging module 10 to the module attaching portion 40, theattachment and fixing of the connector plug 21 to the connectorattaching portion 50, that is, incorporation of the cable part 20 intothe bracket part 32 can be realized irrespective of mounting ornon-mounting of camera, and a case where retrofitting work of theon-vehicle camera is performed can be dealt with only by addition of theimaging module 10 and change in the exterior covers 71, 72, resulting inthe simplification of the retrofitting work.

In addition, in the camera mounting structure described in the presentembodiment, in the double lock structure of the imaging module 10 andthe connector plug 21, the constitution is such that the attachingdirection when the imaging module 10 is attached to the module attachingportion 40 and the attaching direction when the connector plug 21 isattached to the connector attaching portion 50 are different from eachother. More specifically, the respective attaching directions areconstituted so as to be substantially perpendicular to each other.Accordingly, for example, even if load on the connector plug 21 occurswhen the imaging module 10 is attached, the load is received by theholding portion 51 of the connector attaching portion 50, so that itdoes not act along the attaching direction of the connector plug 21.Therefore, as compared with the case where the respective attachingdirections coincide, this camera mounting structure is greatlypreferable for sufficiently assuring the load bearing strength aroundthe cable.

Moreover, in the camera mounting structure described in the presentembodiment, the constitution is such that the imaging module 10 isattached and fixed to the module attaching portion 40 utilizing theengagement between the claw portions 13, 45 and the receiving portions15, 43, and that the connector plug 21 is also attached and fixed to theconnector attaching portion 50 utilizing the engagement between the clawportions 23 and the receiving portions 52. Accordingly, the respectiveattachment and fixing can be performed by so-called one-touch operationrespectively without requiring a special tool or the like, which is veryeffective to achieving easy and efficient work for the attachment andfixing. In addition, since for the attachment and fixing, space forscrew cramp or the like need not be assured, dealing with the downsizingbecomes much easier as compared with the case where the space assuranceis necessary.

Moreover, in the camera mounting structure described in the presentembodiment, the constitution is such that the bracket part 32 formed formounting the on-vehicle camera, and the claw portions 13, 45 in thebracket part 32 or the receiving portions 15, 43, 52 have shapesenabling the rear garnish 30 and the bracket part 32 to be formed bymolding processing of one step. Accordingly, as compared with a casewhere molding processing of a plurality of steps is required, it becomeseasier to improve production efficiency of the rear garnish 30 andreduce a component cost.

Moreover, as described in the present embodiment, in the case where theexterior cover 72 for covering the imaging module 10 attached and fixedto the bracket part 32 is attached, if the rib-shape portions 73 as thedeformation-movement restraining means for the receiving portions 43 andthe claw portion 45 are formed in the exterior cover 72, the rib-shapedportions 73 restrain the deflection of the receiving portions 43 or theclaw portion 45, thereby preventing the imaging module 10 from slippingoff from the module attaching portion 40. Therefore, for example, evenif vibration is applied due to vehicle traveling or the like, asituation where the influence causes the imaging module 10 to slip offand cause imaging trouble can be prevented in advance, which can assurereliability as an on-vehicle camera.

While in the present embodiment, specific examples of the preferredembodiment of the present invention have been described, the presentinvention is not limited to the contents, but modifications can be madeas necessary in a range not departing from the gist thereof.

For example, while in the present embodiment, the double lock structurein which the attachment and fixing of the imaging module 10 to themodule attaching portion 40 and the attachment and fixing of theconnector plug 21 to the connector attaching portion 50 are performedseparately, and once they are attached and fixed respectively, theelectrical connection between the connector receptacle 14 and theconnector plug 21 is assured has been described as an example, thedouble lock structure is not a requisite structure, but even in the caseof a structure where the cable part 20 is directly fixed to the imagingmodule 10 as in a related art structure, the integral molding of thebracket part 32 with the rear garnish 30 can realize the simplification,the versatility assurance and the like of the on-vehicle camera mountingstructure.

Moreover, while in the present embodiment, the back camera mounted onthe rear garnish 30 of the vehicle as the on-vehicle camera has beendescribed as an example, the present invention is not limited to this,but obviously, the present invention can also be applied to anon-vehicle camera mounted on another exterior panel component similar tothe case of the present embodiment, and not to mention, the presentinvention is applicable.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

The present document contains subject matter related to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2007-291469 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Nov.9, 2007, the entire content of which being incorporated herein byreference.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camera mounting structure for mounting anon-vehicle camera on a vehicle, wherein; the on-vehicle camera includesan imaging module having a lens and an imaging element, and a bracketpart arranged in an exterior panel component making up an exterior ofthe vehicle, the bracket part for holding the imaging module therein viaa first snap-fit latch structure and for holding therein an electricconnector plus of the vehicle via a second snap-fit latch structure, thebracket part is molded integrally with the exterior panel component as aportion of the exterior panel component.
 2. The camera mountingstructure according to claim 1, wherein; one side of the imaging moduleand the bracket part are provided with claw portions, and another sideis provided with receiving portions to be engaged with the clawportions, and the engagement between the claw portions and the receivingportions allows the imaging module to be attached and fixed to thebracket part.
 3. The camera mounting structure according to claim 2,wherein; the bracket part and the claw portions or the receivingportions in the bracket part have shapes enabling the exterior panelcomponent and the bracket part to be formed by molding processing of onestep.
 4. The camera mounting structure according to claim 2, wherein; anexterior cover that covers the imaging module attached and fixed to thebracket part is attached in a formation position of the bracket part inthe exterior panel component, and in the exterior cover,deformation-movement restraining means for the claw portions or thereceiving portions is formed.
 5. A camera mounting method for mountingan on-vehicle camera on a vehicle, comprising the steps of: constructingthe on-vehicle camera so as to include an imaging module having a lensand an imaging element; molding a bracket part for holding the imagingmodule therein via a first snap-fit latch structure and for holdingtherein an electric connector plug of the vehicle via a second snap-fitlatch structure, to an exterior panel component making up an exterior ofthe vehicle integrally with the exterior panel component as a portion ofthe exterior panel component; and attaching and fixing the imagingmodule inside the bracket part to thereby mount the on-vehicle camera onthe vehicle.
 6. An exterior panel component making up an exterior of avehicle, wherein; a bracket part for holding therein via a firstsnap-fit latch structure an imaging module of an on-vehicle camerahaving a lens and an imaging element and for holding therein an electricconnector plug of the vehicle via a second snap-fit latch structure, thebracket part is molded integrally with the exterior panel component as aportion of the exterior panel component.